Man United and Man City watch on as Premier League make major transfer window change

It's been reported that Premier League sides have 'agreed' to alter the end date of the summer transfer window. The most recent trading period ended on August 30, more than two weeks into the start of the new season.

However, this will reportedly not be the case in less than a year's time. The Times reports that 20 top-flight clubs have 'agreed' that next summer's window will close on August 15, before the start of the 2025/2026 campaign.

This means that late summer deals involving Aaron Ramsdale, Eddie Nketiah and now-former Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay wouldn't have happened if they had taken place in 2025. The proposed change does appear logical, as teams will now be unable to make changes after their first two or three matches.

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However, deadline day is likely to be far less dramatic with many clubs - potentially - satisfied with their squad's make-up, something which could drastically change in just two weeks. The change was implemented in 2018, but then reversed 18 months later as Premier League clubs felt exposed to late raids from European sides.

While another reversal has been made, at least this time it's claimed that any lingering fear is not as significant. It's expected that other top European leagues will follow suit, but it seems highly unlikely that officials in Saudi Arabia will make any changes, given their summer window already closes just days after the trading period in England and most of the major European leagues.

Chelsea are one of the clubs that have benefitted from an emergence of the lucrative Saudi Pro League with the Blues being able to offload a number of surplus players - although there are notable concerns. Clubs from the Gulf state could, perhaps, seize this opportunity to swoop for stars such as Liverpool duo - Mohamed Salah and Alisson - or Tottenham captain Son Heung-min and Manchester City talisman Kevin De Bruyne.

Their respective clubs would, in turn, be left unable to replace them if a move was to be finalised. The decision to implement this change will come as a surprise to many, as the last five years have shown that closing the summer window at the end of August seemingly works perfectly well.